returning to Virginia, she spent the remainder of her life in her adopted home, and, for more than half a century, was an active factor in the growth of Athens, a recognized leader in the city's educational, patriotic, religious and social development. The select private school which she taught in Athens became widely known and some of the most successful men of the State were among her pupils, to whose careers she gave the initial impulse, and by whom she was ever held in affectionate veneration. Uniting early in life with the First Presbyterian Church, of Athens, Mrs. Crawford remained until her death one of its most devoted members. She loved to be in the Lord's House, and gave liberally of her means to the support of the Gospel, not only at home but in far distant missionary fields. Even in her last hours she was full of plans for extending the work of the Master's kingdom and from her bedside continued to advise with her associates and to give direction in matters which lay close to her heart. Down to the last conscious moments of life she was intent "about her Father's business" and in all that she did there was a sweetness and a charm which suggested the clover of the fields of Galilee. Though ill for three months, the end came unexpectedly but gently, and without an apparent struggle, she sweetly fell upon sleep. She breathed her last on April 16, 1923. Mrs. Crawford is survived by an only daughter, Miss Annie S. Crawford, of Athens; by a sister, Mrs. Harris, of Chicago; and by a grandson, Mr. Brace Crawford, of New York, a young man who is already making a brilliant name for himself in the nation's metropolis. The latter's father, Mr. Robert Allan Crawford, who died some years ago, was a distinguished civil engineer; and while engaged in deepening the harbor at San Pedro, California, it was his mother's happy privilege to visit him in his far western home, and to be his guest for many months, before he was called to his reward. She was accompanied by her daughter, Miss Annie, and never was there a sweeter or a happier reunion. It was during my college days at Athens, where her home was a center of hospitality and of social cheer, that I first met Mrs. Crawford. She was always surrounded by admiring friends. Every one in Athens loved her, and she entertained with a grace which very few have ever equaled. But again our paths touched on the far distant shores beyond the Rockies. I was often in the home at San Pedro; for I, too, was an exile, and a visit to the Crawfords was an inspiration and a tonic-it was like getting back to "the red old hills of Georgia". So whenever I think of Mrs. Crawford, even now, it is to feel a mother's hand on my forehead and to hear a mother's voice, calling me to better things. She has taken a lot of sunshine with her, but she has left a lot of tender memories and a host of loving friends behind. God bless her in the beautiful land to which she has gone; and may I meet her in the "Sweet Bye and Bye". It was her fondness for the young, coupled with her success as a teacher, that led Mrs. Crawford to take the initiative in organizing a local chapter of the Children of the Confederacy. She wished to see the rising generations loyal to the memories and to the men of Confederate days; and she stood uncompromisingly for the truth of history, recorded in text-books. She was also an enthusiastic member of the Daughters of the Confederacy and of the Daughters of the American Revolution, to both of which she gave much of her time and thought, and was always happy in arranging programs, and in preparing intellectual treats. In the latter organization she was specially conspicuous, for her ancestry bore an important part both in the colonization and in the defence of the Old Dominion. One of the charter members of Elijah Clarke chapter, she served the chapter for many years as Historian and was also at one time Regent; and she was always most enthusiastic, doing with a thoroughness and with a joy whatever her hands found to do. The patriotic societies of Athens will miss Mrs. Crawford. But what interest of the city will not be it religious or secular? Mrs. Crawford was a born teacher. But to the end of her days she was an humble pupil in God's great school. Like a Ruth, she was always gleaning in the fields of knowledge, with a zest which seemed to keep her heart young; and like a Mary, she ever sat at the Master's feet. There was not a phase of Georgia's intellectual life which her varied activities did not touch, which her rare gifts did not embellish. She loved science. She loved art. She loved history. She loved music. But, high above these, she lovel her fellow-men. She enjoyed the elbow-touch of comradeship. Her interest in the world around her was keen. Her sympathy was quick to respond to the cry of need. Though she had passed the limit of four-score years, she did not lag superfluous on the stage, but kept abreast of the times and in conversation scintillated like a star; while her memory to the very end was a vast store-house of varied information. But her work is finished. She now rests from her labors; and beside the Oconee, she sleeps well. "The storm that wrecks the winter's sky No more disturbs her sweet repose, After the sunset-the stars! In a thousand tender memories the beautiful things of her life survive; and these, in the night-time of our sorrow, look down upon us like the constellations of the firmament. Fare thee well, sweet friend. If the seeds of influence which thy hands have sown about thee could only put forth like acorns, thou wouldst sleep today in the lap of an imperial forest. Thy gentle words of encouragement and of sympathy-who can not recall them? But thy deeds of kindness-can they ever be counted? "Not all the summer's clustering grapes If nectared into wine, Could brim the cup in which I pledge What her pure hands in love have wrought, When wandering o'er the battle-fields Too busy loving for a thought Her life's sweet motto simply this: With healing sympathy her heart Earth knows the catalogue in part Atlanta, Ga., May 1, 1923. OUR WAR QUEEN OF THE SIXTIES. [Written as an introduction to "Representative Women of the South, 1861-1920," by Mrs. Bryan Wells Collier, Atlanta, Ga., 1920.] It was a former Senator from New York, the eloquent Chauncey M. Depew, who said on one occasion that, during the great sectional conflict in America, there was produced at the North no counterpart to the Confederate woman. Coming from one who was not of the South, and who spoke from an exalted seat of authority, this tribute is generous. It proclaims a warm heart and a liberal mind. But never was a compliment more fitly bestowed. As a sober statement of fact, it is true to historic truth; it is absolutely just; it invites the most searching analysis. The South was the area of invasion. Perhaps nine-tenths of the battlefields of the war were embraced within the Confederate boundaries. In an area of country, exposed to the constant fire of a devastating host, it was the lot of the Southern woman, in a peculiar sense, to endure the bitter agony of the Garden-those of her loved ones strong enough to protect her, all at the front; only a retinue of faithful slaves to guard the mansion, with its dependent inmates. But her lone Gethsemane lasted for more than a single night. It endured through four long years, of peril, of sacrifice, and of suffering-till the Calvary of the Southern Cross was reached at Appomattox. Nay, longer; it continued on down through the terror-haunted days of Reconstruction; and to do that period justice is needed the poet of Pandemonium, and the painter of the "Last Judgment." But lineage, tradition, training-all these served to equip her for the ordeal. She was a rare type, this gentle product of our Southland-let us call her the magnolia grandiflora of a race of Cavaliers. She inherited beauty-not alone of the kind which attaches to person, though in superlative degree she possessed that, but beauty of mind, beauty of soul, beauty of character. These combined to lift her attractions to a higher power and to give her the exquisite charm of loveliness. Hers were the Spartan traits of an Old South-endurance, fortitude, courage, superiority of mind-traits which compelled respect, even from strangers, which inspired reverence in her children and loyalty in her slaves, and which secured for her the good will of her neighbors. But she also possessed the strength which is born of prayer, the tranquil calm which comes from faith, and the serene smile whose divine source is love. Whether in a pillared mansion or in a lowly cot, whether at home or abroad, whether in dispensing hospitality to her equals or in bestowing favor upon her dependents, she was everywhere and always a queen; and whatever she said or did, bore the baronial hallmark of the old nobility |